An Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) is a formal proposal to modify some aspect of the Ethereum network. EIPs can vary from minor enhancements, such as providing clarity on existing features, to significant upgrades, such as altering the network's consensus mechanism, contract standards, or client APIs. ^[1][2][3]

Overview

Ethereum is an blockchain platform with ongoing development and upgrades. In Ethereum, decisions and proposals for network changes are made through a consensus process involving the entire development community. These proposals are formalized as Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) to streamline the decision-making and implementation process.^[4]

Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) are a standardized way of proposing changes, introducing new features, or suggesting process improvements to enhance the Ethereum ecosystem. EIPs provide a clear and technical specification for the proposed features and improvements, and the rationale for the feature. These specifications outline how the feature will work and how it will integrate with the existing Ethereum network. ^[4][5]

The concept of EIPs was introduced in October 2015, taking inspiration from the Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) process. EIPs serve as comprehensive documents containing all the necessary information about a proposed upgrade or change. They act as a reliable source of information for the Ethereum community and play a crucial role in the decision-making process.^[4]

Types of EIPs

There are three main types of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs): Standard Track EIPs, Meta EIPs, and Information EIPs.

Standard Track EIPs

Standards track EIPs encompass proposals that can have a significant influence on the Ethereum blockchain's operation and the functionalities it provides. These proposals may encompass adjustments to the consensus protocol, modifications to block validation rules, or alterations that can affect how applications on the Ethereum network interact with each other. ^[1][3][4]

Standard EIPs are a crucial part of the blockchain's evolution, as they can shape its core operations and overall performance. They are subject to careful evaluation and discussion within the Ethereum community to ensure they align with the network's goals and principles.^[3][4]

To enhance the review process for Standard EIPs, Ethereum developers introduced four distinct types of Standard EIPs.^[3][5][6]

Core

These standard EIPs include improvements that require consensus as well as modifications that may not be inherently critical to consensus but hold relevance in "core dev" discussions and decisions. These improvements also affect the process of staking and mining.^[3][5]

Networking

This category encompasses enhancements related to network protocol specifications, like devp2p (EIP8) library, the Light Ethereum Subprotocol, Whisper and Swarm.^[3][1][5]

Interface

This section includes improvements focused on client standards and specifications, including API/RPC standards and specifications, and some language-level standards like contract ABIs and method names (EIP-6). ^[3][4][5]

ERC (Ethereum Requests for Contract)

This category pertains to application-level standards and conventions, encompassing aspects like name registries (EIP-137), URI schemes (EIP-681), account abstraction (EIP-4337), library/package formats(EIP-190), and token standards (EIP-20).^[3][6]

Meta EIPs

Meta EIPs propose changes to processes, but not necessarily to the Ethereum protocol itself. They might suggest an implementation, but not within Ethereum's codebase. These EIPs often require community consensus and are more than just recommendations; users typically cannot ignore them. They cover areas like procedures, guidelines, changes to decision-making processes, and modifications to the tools or environment used in Ethereum development. Any meta-EIP is also considered a Process EIP.^[3]

Information EIPs

Informational EIPs address Ethereum design issues or provide general guidelines and information to the Ethereum community without proposing new features. These EIPs do not necessarily represent Ethereum community consensus or recommendations, so users and implementers are free to disregard them or choose to follow their advice.^[3][6]